News Archive: 2005

>> Sponsored Walk Update (02.01.06)

An intrepid bunch of committed Bury fans gathered at the Cabin at 4.00pm on Wednesday 28th of December in near freezing temperatures. Whatever the weather the certainty was that the long awaited Forever Bury sponsored walk to Rochdale would take place even if there was a good chance that the game may be called off. 28 walkers set off at a brisk pace with FB Chairman, Dave Giffard giving the historic collection bucket its annual airing. The decision had been made to try and get to The Gamecock at Fairfield for the first break but Dave called in at a couple of pubs prior to this to rattle the bucket and come away with a few more pounds for the cause. Following a swift pint the group then hotfooted their way towards The Bird I'th Hand at Simpson Clough but, en route, received the much feared news that the game had been called off, undaunted they carried on. A more leisurely drink break was taken at the Bird I'th Hand and a few of the walkers called it a day, but the hardy veterans had other ideas and soldiered on. Quick visits to the Hare and Hounds and the Elephant and Castle then saw the survivors winding their way along Sandy Lane to Spotland. A little banter with some of the local constabulary ensued and then the group settled into the Rochdale Social Club for some light refreshment of the liquid type and a few photographs to prove that they had completed the task. It was decided to head back along Edenfield Road with visits to The Star and The Lancashire Lass followed by the long trek down to the Grapes at Bamford. Here the survivors called it a day (10.30pm) and phone calls were made to arrange transport for everyone. Certainly a disappointment that the game was called off but, as usual, a cracking time was had by everyone who took part. The bucket came back with just over £34 in it and everyone is looking forward to the next walk!

>> Beer Festival Update (13.12.05)

The Beer Festival preparations are on the go so we're keeping you up to date with things. Pannone & Partners are the Main Event Sponsors and they will be bringing a coach full of their staff to the event. They are also advertising the event on their webste: http://www.pannone.com/ The Big Screen and the Beer Tokens are once again sponsored by Trinity Developments ( http://www.trinity-development.co.uk/ )and Northern Pet Stores ( http://www.northern-pet.co.uk/ ) . We must also thank A & A Scaffolding have come forward once again to donate all the scaffolding for the beer stillage. The Beer List should be available soon but we can say that we will be having 3 cask lagers this time and also 3 draught ciders. We are indebted to the following breweries who have all kindly helped us out by donating a total of 14 barrels of beers and ciders: Skinners Brewery, Truro ( http://www.skinnersbrewery.com/ ) Jolly Brewer, Wrexham ( http://www.jollybrewer.co.uk/ ) Rooster's Brewery, Knaresborough ( http://www.roosters.co.uk/ ) The Wood Brewery, Craven Arms ( http://www.woodbrewery.co.uk/ ) Boggart Hole Clough Brewery, Manchester ( http://www.boggart-brewery.co.uk/ ) The Three Rivers Brewing Co, Stockport ( http://www.3riversbrewing.com/ ) Stationhouse Brewery, Ellesmere Port ( http://www.stationhousebrewery.co.uk/ ) Leyden Brewery, Nangreaves ( http://www.leydenbrewery.com/ ) Spitting Feathers Brewery, Chester ( http://www.spittingfeathers.org/ ) Mayfields Brewery, Worcestershire Thatchers Cider, Somerset ( http://www.thatcherscider.co.uk/ ) Another 30 breweries from all around the globe have helped out by supplying posters and merchandise buy a special mention must go to Kimmel of Latvia and Sierra Nevada of California who have agreed to donate bottles for the bottle bar. Beer Sponsors to date: Janian Architectural Services Ltd., Bury. Wyre Associates, Bolton. Optec Electrical, Radcliffe. The Bay Horse, Clayton Bridge, Manchester. DTE, Bury. Gortons Chartered Accountants, Radcliffe. Bury Black Pudding Company, Bury. East Lancs Railway, Bury. Printpack Ltd., Bury. Double R Controls, Heywood. Howarth Goodman Solicitors, Prestwich. Superior Driveways, Ramsbottom. The Clarksons, South Stand. Chris Lucketti, P.N.E. David Nugent, P.N.E. Advertisers S A Kitchens, Bury. Chint Europe (UK) Ltd., Bury. Tower FM, Bolton. DTE, Bury. British Salt, Middlewich. This is an impressive list of companies that have stepped in to help us but we still need another 25 sponsors for the beers and can accomodate more advertisers. Everybody will feature on the dedicated website: http://www.fb-beerfestivals.co.uk/

>> Bury FC Boardroom Representative (13.12.05)

Margaret this week took up her position as the supporters’ trust’s representative in the corridors of power at Gigg Lane filling the gap left by the resignation of Roger Barlow several months ago. The 64-year-old great-grandmother is keenly looking forward to her new role and is determined to be an important supporters voice in her job as fans’ liaison director. She will provide a direct link from the supporters to the board and is well aware what thorny issue is sure to be the first to be brought up. “I’m sure the biggest gripe fans have at the moment is the rise in pay-on-the day entrance prices,” she said. “I will be bringing that up and see if something can be sorted out. “Other than that I don’t know any major outstanding problems but I’m sure people will let me know of some!” Margaret, of Shaw Street, Bury, has been going down to Gigg since she was five years of age when she regularly attended games with her father and brother. And she’s even managed to convert her husband Roy, a keen Manchester United fan, to the Shakers’ cause. He too is a Forever Bury board member and a Treasureline agent. An enthusiastic fundraiser during the Save Our Shakers campaign it was a logical progression for her to join the Forever Bury board and she has been the chief organiser of the very popular Gigg Lane car boot sales that have raised thousands of pounds for the trust. Yet she isn’t the first female to make it into the Gigg Lane boardroom. That honour went to Amelia ‘Millie’ Allen, widow of former chairman Bill Allen who became the first women director in the British game in February 1979 following the death of her husband. Nevertheless, Shakers director Iain Mills is confident Margaret will be a big asset to the club in the coming years. “We have always wanted a fans’ representative on the board,” he said. “Margaret has been a watching Bury for a lot of years and I’m sure she’ll be a very effective voice for the supporters. “Fans can approach her individually if they want and I believe fans should have a say on matters. “There is a conduit from the supporters to the board now and we want to make that link stronger and stronger.” That’s a sentiment echoed by Forever Bury chairman Dave Giffard who added: “The trust is committed to helping build a brighter future for the Shakers by involving the supporters and wider community of Bury so we are delighted with the news that Margaret has been accepted onto the board. “Having no representation for some time we see this as a very positive step amd Margaret’s role should prove to be of benefit to all. “We sincerely hope this will lead to the club having a more open relationship with the fans. “Early in the New Year we aim to enter into discussion with the board to see if we can resolve one or more outstanding issues and try and lay down firm plans for working closely together. “Let’s hope this positive step leads to more Bury fans joining Forever Bury which, as one of 134 trusts, is regarded by everyone as one of the more imaginitive groups. “There’s no shortage of ideas, just a shortage of people to carry them out!” As for Margaret, are we likely to see her taking to the field with a loudhailer trying to rally the fans like her counterpart at Norwich City. “You must be joking, I won’t be calling for the fans to be the twelfth man like Delia,” she laughed. “I might have a big mouth but it’s not that big!”

>> Sponsored Walk to Spotland (10.11.05)

The Shakers travel to Rochdale on the 28th of December for an evening kick off and once again Forver Bury is organising a sponsored walk from Gigg Lane to Spotland. We are intending to leave Gigg Lane at 4.00pm. With the usual travelling support often well over 1000, if a fair percentage of these would take on the six mile stroll then the walk could easily become the biggest fundraiser that Forever Bury runs. All walkers are asked to register at the Cabin and collect their sponsorship forms.

>> Latest from the Board (24.10.05)

At the inaugural meeting of the new Forever Bury Board the following officers were voted into place: Chairman: Dave Giffard Vice Chairman: Peter Owen Secretary: Susan Tunstall Treasurer: Derek Boulton Margaret Ladkin was accepted to be put forward to represent Forever Bury on the Club's Board and a letter stating this will be at the club in the morning. Forever Bury has commissioned Trinity Development to complete an Access Audit of Bury Football Club in conjunction with Glyn Holland (Bury FC Disability Liaison Officer) and the Board of Bury Football Club with a view to bringing all areas of the ground, not just up to legislation standard, but to 'best practice' level. A major part of this is to resolve the issue of disabled access into the Main Stand and Starkies, whilst also supplying disabled toilet facilities on the mezzanine level of the Main Stand.

>> Personal Statement from Barry Roth (17.08.05)

Having been advised that Jim Lomas was looking to stand down as Financial Director some supporters may be aware that on 4th July I offered my services, by telephone, to the Board of Bury Football Club to replace him as Financial Director and to work for the club, free of charge, for a minimum of one day each week. Any conditions that I would have attached to my offer were not discussed and would have been dependent on the Board's reply. Up to the 11th August I had received no response whatsoever. On Friday 12th August I received a telephone call from Jim Lomas advising me that the Directors had all been on holiday at different times since my initial call and that it had been their intention to discuss my offer at a Board Meeting to be held on Monday 15th August. However as a direct consequence of a media statement issued by the former Executive Board of Forever Bury it could interpreted that my offer was made through Forever Bury or through some of its members and therefore the Directors would not entertain such involvement and were refusing the offer. I feel that I must now issue a personal statement in response to that decision. It should be appreciated that a Board of Directors can appoint or reject anyone to join a Board without giving any reason. The offer that I made to the Board was made entirely independent of any supporters or group of supporters in order that I would not be tied or restricted in any way by lobbying bodies. At the time the offer was made no member of Forever Bury was aware of it and it was made independently of a nomination made on behalf of Forever Bury, to which there has been no response to date. Supporters may be aware that I am currently acting Secretary of Forever Bury until its AGM in October at which I am relinquishing the position. It has now become quite apparent to me that the current Board of Bury FC will not entertain any involvement with Forever Bury or any member involved with them which assists in the practical running of the football club and by inference they only see Forever Bury as another fund raising vehicle in addition to the club's Commercial Department. This shows a complete lack of understanding as to why Supporters Trusts have been set up throughout the country and why they have support of the Government. Through media sources under the Board's control they persist in pursuing the belief that the membership of Forever Bury does not have people who have the acumen or time to either assist in, or run the football club other than themselves. I am truly of the belief that the current Directors have worked long and hard on behalf of the club and in its interests and for this they have to be commended. However their reluctance to communicate in a full and meaningful way to both small shareholders and the club's supporters leaves me to feel that they may have something to hide. They are jointly confusing the need for confidentiality, which must always be respected, with the need to provide people with the whole truth and although their actions are in no way illegal they are not morally correct. The part truths they have supplied can give way to misinformation and the information they are withholding can be construed as possibly being harmful to the club at some future date dependent on certain conditions at that future time. All supporters and shareholders of Bury Football Club wish for the club to be on a sound financial footing and to be managed in a professional manner as befits a limited company of its stature. Equally so, those in who we trust to manage its affairs should be truthful and communicative to those on whose support it needs to continue its existence in an extremely difficult environment. Until that unison is achieved the club will struggle to improve its fortunes both on and off the field.

>> Time For Change Update (17.08.05)

The Forever Bury Time for Change Appeal has collected £4,695.00 to date. With two home games coming up (Tuesday August 9th Vs Layton Orient and Saturday August 13th Vs Shrewsbury), we hope to pass the £5,000 milestone. This would be a fantastic achievement for all concerned and helps Forever Bury raise vital funds for the Club. If you have a full collection box - or preferably a few full boxes – then please bring them to either game and drop them off at the Cabin. All donations are gratefully received.

>> Forever Bury Executive Board (disbanded) Statement (10.08.05)

In view of misleading statements made recently, the Forever Bury Executive Board (now disbanded) would like to clarify the situation. On formation in July last year, our major concern was the imminent financial crisis, which was predictable from cash flow forecasts. The Bury FC Board's response to constructive comments and offers of help was simply, the Board run the club, Forever Bury concentrate on fund raising. This management stance resulted in the threatened closure of the Club in December 2004. During the last year they have refused to allow Forever Bury any influence, or to use the resource and expertise available. Recent examples of their intransigence are; a) On 23 June, the Bury FC Board were informed of the new Forever Bury nomination to the Bury FC Board. NO RESPONSE b) Jim Lomas has consistently requested assistance with financial matters, so a Forever Bury member (who is an accountant) offered on July 4th to join the Bury FC Board and spend at least one day per week preparing accounts etc. NO RESPONSE c) On 13 July a letter was sent to the Bury FC Board asking key questions regarding the loan taken out to re-acquire the ground. Shareholders were promised information at the 18 May AGM by 3 June. NO RESPONSE d) The admission price increases at Gigg Lane have at no time been formally discussed with Forever Bury. To suggest things have improved since the Executive Board disbanded, is simply flying in the face of all the facts (or perhaps it is born out of another agenda). If any member doubts the above, and/or wishes to familiarize themselves with every detail, minutes for ALL meetings held are available. We still believe, and always have, that the Bury FC Directors working closely with Forever Bury will produce the best results. We ask ourselves, therefore, why are the Bury FC Directors refusing to allow a major shareholding group to have any influence over the management of the club, and keeping secret the terms of the ground re-acquisition? We ask you, is your only purpose to raise money for the directors to use as they see fit or, like us, do you want to be allowed to work with them to secure the long term future of Bury Football Club? Jeremy Clegg, Roger Barlow, Brian Richardson, Andy Barlow, Mick Norris. END

>> Forever Bury Opinion Poll (06.08.05)

There are currently two polls being conducted to help gauge the views of Supporters. The first is being conducted on this site and is multiple choice. All FB members and Supporters are urged to take part in this poll. The second poll is available on the Bury FC message board and can be found here, under the thread titled 'What is Forever Bury'. The closing date for both polls will be August 18th. After completing either poll, if you have any further comments you would like passing to FB board members, please complete the form located on the contacts page.

>> Open Meeting July 2005 (27.07.05)

At a sparsely attended Open Meeting on Thursday 21 July 2005, in a heated debate some very serious issues were raised about the future of Forever Bury and whether the supporters had, or wanted, any say in the way Bury FC is run. After the usual reports on finance, fundraising etc, the meeting got down to the serious business of discussing the impact of the resignation of the FB Director from the Board of Bury FC and the disbanding of the FB Executive Board. It was stated that Forever Bury was set up as a Supporters Trust with the sole aim of being actively involved in and having significant influence over the growth and development of Bury Football Club. The FB Directors and a small number of other supporters have given their time and effort to build an organisation that it was hoped would ensure the future survival of Bury FC, whilst creating a base from which playing success could be achieved. The appointment of a Forever Bury Director, Roger Barlow, to the football club gave the Trust a knowledge and understanding of events as they unfolded and gave the supporters a direct line of communication. In July 2004, Roger Barlow was deeply concerned that the severe financial problems facing Bury FC were not being addressed in the right manner. He was unable to speak freely at the FB meetings due to confidentiality issues, so an Executive Board was formed to try to deal with this major issue. Ultimately, Roger Barlow resigned in March of this year as a director of Bury FC as he had been unable to work with the other members of the board for several months. The Executive board, encountering the same problems in trying to establish a dialogue with the directors of Bury FC, has been disbanded and all its members are also standing down from the FB board in October. Mick Norris resigned as FB Secretary on June 16th and will also stand down from the FB board in October. They stated that it has always been their firm belief that the future of Bury FC would be best served by the directors and supporters having the same agreed objectives and working closely together, and still is, and that they will naturally continue to support the Football Club. Forever Bury have nominated Margaret Ladkin as a replacement for Roger Barlow on the Bury FC Board of Directors. Over a month later, they are still awaiting a reply from the Directors of Bury FC as to whether she will be accepted. There was much debate about the lack of information coming out of the club and the unwillingness of the Directors of Bury FC to consult with the supporters on any issues. It was stressed that the membership now has to determine the future role of Forever Bury in the light of past and present circumstances. Is the way forward merely as a fundraising arm of the club or does the membership want more than that? Elections for directors take place soon. A minimum of 7 new directors are needed to replace those standing down. Now is the time to express your views.

>> Blue and White Fortnight (11.07.05)

Forever Bury are holding their annual Blue and White Fortnight as a lead up to the start of the new football season. Following on from last years low key Blue and White Fortnight, Forever Bury are kicking off this years event by holding a Fun Day and Open Day at Gigg Lane on July 24th at noon. With lots of fun things to do and involving all sections of the Bury FC set up along with the Fusiliers, Asda, Angela's Pantry, and local charities. You can also tour the ground and meet Graham Barrow and the players as they look forward to a successful season. Come and see the involvement that Forever Bury has with the Shakers and call at the Forever Bury Visitors Centre. Central to the day is a giant balloon race, which is not just raising much needed revenue for the club but for some of our local charities as well. Other football clubs across the country are getting involved by advertising the event and selling balloons on our behalf. » Press Release

>> Statement on Ticket Prices (11.07.05)

The Directors of Forever Bury have noted with some dismay the original announcement of Match Day ticket prices and the subsequent statement issued by the Directors of Bury Football Club on 6th July due to adverse comment in some media sources. Many fans have complained to Forever Bury that we must have known in advance of the large increases and also the additional offer of paying on the day, but ordering in advance to obtain a £2.00 reduction in the main price catagory and that we should have put this onto our own website. Whilst welcoming the additional benefit to FB members to take advantage of the discount available and for non FB supporters to become members to soften the increase Forever Bury wish to make it very clear that at no time were they involved in the process of raising ticket prices and became aware of the special offer for Forever Bury members at the same time as all other supporters reading the Club's website. The Club are taking a big gamble that although they may lose some fans they hope to increase the gross income. We have also noted that the match day prices of our nearest rival for the coming season are less than our own in the main paying areas. It is the belief of the Directors of Forever Bury that the membership will only increase if those who run the Club listen, hear and understand the comments made by all fans and through Forever Bury involve or consult them in those decisions that matter to them most.

>> Forever Bury Needs You! (09.07.05)

Forever Bury ask our members to consider putting themselves forward for election as a Director of Forever Bury. Some of our existing Directors are standing down in October and new blood, and new ideas, would be very welcome. Email chairman@foreverbury.org as soon as possible (by 30 August latest) if you are interested in standing. Or come to the Open Meeting on July 21st, 7:45 pm at the Social Club, Gigg Lane. The Board of Forever Bury meets quarterly, with occasional extra meetings in a crisis. You should also attend the AGM in October and the 3 Open meetings in July, April and January. In summary, one evening a month on average. All board members are "encouraged" to do more i.e. to be a member of a group, like Fundraising, Finance or External Relations, taking up another evening per month. If you wanted, you could spend more time e.g. there may be specific projects which would take more time, like helping organise the beer festival, player of the season etc. However, no-one is going to complain if you just stick to Board meetings, they will be chuffed if you come forward, especially as there are vacancies to fill. There is a chance that there will be an election. If there was, you would need to draft a statement of why people should vote for you, and be prepared to treat victory and defeat with a smile!

>> Balloon Race Form (09.07.05)

Central to the Bury FC Family Fun Day, starting at 12 noon at Gigg Lane on July 24th will be the giant Balloon Race. The race is intended not only to raise much needed revenue for the club but for some of our local charities as well. Other football clubs across the country are getting involved by advertising the event and selling balloons on our behalf. A prize of £200 is being offered to the winner along with 4 other runner up prizes. A PDF version of the Balloon Race entry form is attached to this news item. » Balloon Race form